To combine all the above: Breakout boards often describe one of two things

- Adapters to convert either connectors or ICs to a convenient footprint. This includes ones that go from a fine-pitch LCD connector to 0.1" headers, and boards with hard-to-mount parts (tiny surface mount parts, BGA or QFN footprints) and a header or connector. They often include other components that are always needed or have to be close to the part (bypass caps, pullup resistors, crystals). http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9614 and http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9719 are examples of this type